Boundaries for midlife women, people-pleasing recovery, self-care, and marriage—learn why boundaries matter and how to set boundaries that stick. In this episode, we unpack what boundaries are, why boundaries become non-negotiable in midlife, and simple tools to set boundaries in marriage, friendships, work, and faith. With guest expert Dr. Becky Whetstone, we explore people-pleasing, nervous-system cues, and scripts you can use today. If you’ve struggled to speak up, this conversation will help you build healthier habits, protect your peace, and live aligned. Expect real talk, a relatable story (yes, even snoring + sleep!), and a practical challenge to start setting boundaries now.

Timestamps (in parentheses):

(00:00) Introduction to boundaries in midlife

(02:10) Why boundaries matter for women 40+ (roles, energy, identity)

(06:05) Host shares a personal boundary win (sleep, snoring & choices)

(09:40) Guest shares insights on people-pleasing & childhood wiring

(14:12) Boundaries beyond relationships: health, faith, career, time

(18:20) Scripts you can use to set boundaries (word-for-word)

(23:05) Handling pushback: guilt, entitlement & escalation

(27:18) How boundaries reduce stress and improve wellbeing

(30:10) Weekly challenge: define one value-aligned “no” and one restorative “yes”

(32:00) Closing encouragement & next steps

Key Takeaways:

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• Boundaries protect your peace, energy, and values—without them, stress and resentment grow.
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• People-pleasing is learned; you can unlearn it with awareness, practice, and support.
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• Your body signals boundary violations (tight chest, anxiety); listen and respond.
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• Simple scripts reduce friction: “That doesn’t work for me,” “I need to check my calendar,” “I can’t commit, but thank you.”
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• When you change your boundaries, life gets lighter—health, relationships, and purpose all improve.
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Guest Bio:

Dr. Becky Whetstone is a marriage and family therapist and the founder of Marriage Crisis Management. She specializes in boundaries, relationship repair, and helping women overcome people-pleasing and anxiety to build healthier, values-aligned lives.

Resource Links:

• Lesakoski.com
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• Work with Dr. Becky Whetstone — https://marriagecrisismanager.com/
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• Doing Life Different Podcast — subscribe & share
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• Boundary Scripts (mentioned): “That doesn’t work for me right now,” “I need to check my calendar,” “I can’t commit, but thank you for thinking of me.”
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Tags/Keywords:

boundaries, boundaries in midlife, women over 40, people pleasing, self care, marriage advice, relationship boundaries, faith and wellness, mindset shift, emotional health, nervous system, stress reduction, confidence for women, personal growth, healthy habits, saying no, life after 40, midlife women empowerment